Spray coating machine



8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 29, 1935 A .mi

ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1936. A. M. sosA SPRAY COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Auguenus M. Sosa ATTORNEY wz, m: mm m WH v: a:

Nov. 10, 1936.

A. M. SOSA SPRAY COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 5.

Agguu M. S050 ATTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1936. A. M. sosA SPRAY COATING MACHINE 8 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Nov. 29, 1935 INVENTOR. Augu 5h15 M. S050 A TTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1936. A. M. sosA 2,060,131

SPRAY COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Figli.

INVENTOR. Aqgusrus M. 505C .BY f

ATTORNEY.

Nov. l0, 1936.' A. M. sosA Y SPRAY COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN T'OR. 824 Augusfus M. Sosa Nov. 10, 1936. A. M 505A 2,060,131

SPRAY COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet' INVENToR. vAugu 5h15 M. 50 SG BY VMM@ A TTORNEY.

Nov. 10, 1936. A. M. SOSA SPRAY COATING MACHINE I a sheets-sheet s Filed NOV. 29, 1955 Y INVENTOR.

Augustus M. ,Sosa

A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES.

SPRAY COATING MACHINE Augustus M. Sosa, Portsmouth, Ohio, assignor to Vulcan Corporation, Portsmouth, Ohio Application November 29, 1935, Serial No. 52,223

36 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for rapidly and automatically spray coating articles such as heels for womens shoes.

One object of the invention is to provide a 5 spray coating machine which will automatically coat articles fed thereto at ,a high rate of speed with a high quality of iinish.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray coating machine capable of continuous l duty at high production speed with the attendance of one operator only.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray coating machine in which an automatic mechanism insures that no coating material is l sprayed unless an article is present at the nozzle of the spray gun.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the above suggested character having an article conveyor, a discharging means 0 for ej ecting the finished articles from the conveyor consistently within a limited area to be readily received in a container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray machine having a conveyor chain driven by a mechanism having a plurality of spaced driving members engaging the chain along its length, such mechanism being actuated by a single power source and driving the chain in a manner to compensate for changes in the length of the chain due to wear or stretch therein thereby to distribute substantially evenly throughout the length of the chain the total driving torque required to move the chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray coating machine in which the loading and discharging means are automatically operated in timed relation to the speed of the conveyor chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic means for stopping the conveyor chain when the actuating means for the discharging mechanism fails, thereby preventing articles from being carried into the loading station after they have been once treated, and thus preventing dam.

age to the articles and to the machine. y

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic means for cutting off the air supply when the heel conveyor is stopped, thereby preventing waste of spray material should the conveyor come to rest with the spray gun valve open.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray coating machine in which the moving elements of the mechanism are protected from an accumulation of spray material.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description in connection'with the accompanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

The article conveyor means of the machine is of special construction and constitutes an important feature of the invention. The spindles or other supporting means adapted to receive and hold the heels or other articles to be spray coated, must be fed to the loading station at a predetermined rate, which is dependent upon the speed with whichan operator can manipulate the heels in position to be loaded upon the conveyor. The speed of the operator, the distance between the spindles or other holding means and the length of time the articles must remain in a drying chamber to which they are led after receiving a coat of spray material, determines the length of the endless conveyor system incorporated in the machine, which, in the preferred embodiment shown, is a single run of flexible chain with its axes vertical. The length of the conveyor, as computed from these factors, is relatively great and, for this reason, it becomes impractical to drive the c'onveyor from a single point.

'I'he present invention drives the conveyor chain at a plurality of'points distributed along its length from a rigid drive shaft which, in turn, is driven by a source of power. One of the driving points has a positive driving connection with the conveyor while the other driving points are provided with resilient torque transmitting means which may be preloaded to deliver the required amount oi torque to the conveyor. In this manner undesirable stress within the chain is avoided. If each of the driving sprockets were rigidly connected to a common driving shaft and each of the driving points were carefully adjusted and positioned to assume their proportionate share of the load due to the torque and if this condition could be maintained the chain could be smoothly and efiiciently driven. However, it has been found in practice such adjustment cannot be maintained since wear and stretch within the chain changes its length and thus prevents the maintenance of such original adjustment. Due tothis change in length severe stress .would arise in certain portions of the chain and the torque developed at each driving point would become indeterminate and between certain driving points the chain would tighten until the weakest point in the machine upon which this excessive strain was imposed would yield and throw the whole machine out of alignment or the driving motor would stall. Such a condition is intolerable and under such conditions an excess of power is consumed and the chain is driven -unevenly causing general unsatisfactory operation. The present invention as above suggested and as will more fully hereinafter appear overcomes this condition.

Another important feature of the invention is the construction, operation and function of the loading station and its relation to the operation of other parts of the apparatus. This station is provided with a ram, in this instance operated pneumatically, for impaling the articles upon pointed spindles situated upon the conveyor chain. The air that actuates the impaling ram is conducted to another cylinder and actuates another ram therein. If the operator of the machine fails to place an article in position to be impaled upon its spindle by the ram, the ram will continue to move down to the extreme low position of its stroke. The charge of air behind this ram will then increase in pressure until it reaches a point where it actuates the second ram. This ram acts to shift a valve tripping member situated upon the spindle from a normally active position into its inactive position.

Following the empty spindle to the spraying station it is found that the tripping member has been moved out of a.path of the valve actuator which controls the spray gun. The valve on the spray gun therefore does not open and no spray material is ejected when an article is not present at the spraying station. Before again reaching the loading station this tripping member is automatically returned to its active position. When an article is placed in proper loading position the force ofthe impaling ram acting upon the article prevents the second named ram from shifting the Itripping member into its inactive position in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. When an article is present upon a spindle the tripping member engages the valve actuator at the spray gun thus causing the article to be sprayed. During the spraying 'operation the article is automatically rotated to present the whole area of its side faces to the spray.

y charging stroke.

The articles then pass through a drying chamber and are presented to another spray station. After receiving the second coat of spray material they are again dried and subsequently presented to a third spray station where they receive a ilnal coat of spray material. After the final coat has been dried the articles are presented to the discharging station. The discharging station is .provided with an automatically operated ram which receives its motion froma piston preferably pneumatically actuated. A connection between the ram and the piston causes the motion of the ram to be decelerated throughout its working or 'dis- The discharging ram engages the articles at two or more points closely adjacent the point of the spindle upon which the article is impaled. Since the surface engaged Aby the discharging ram is in many cases uneven, means are provided for compensating for such unevenness and equalizing the ejecting thrust at the points of contact. By thus controlling the forces acting to discharge the articles from the impaling pins, the articles are caused to be deposited within a limited area and readily received within a container.

In connection with the general operation of the machine. there are protective devices and mechanical features, whichwill hereinafter be described in detail.

To present an accurate and more comprehensive conception of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will be described. Such specific embodiment is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a right'side elevation of the machins.

Fig. 2A is a detail view of a driving sprocket.

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view on line 2 2. Fig. 5.

' Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the loading station. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the loading station with certain of the parts shown in section. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts in a different position.

Fig. 6A is a detailed view illustrating a modified construction of the main cylinder at the loading station.

Fig.7 is a detailed view illustrating the method of cushioning the return movement of the heel impaling means.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through the heel conveying spindle.

Fig. 9 is a detailed View illustrating a modified construction of the loading station.

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the means for tsking up slack in the conveyor chain.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the spraying station with certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the spindle rotating mechanism with certain parts broken away to better illustrate parts beneath.

Fig. 13 is a detailed view illustrating a modified form of drive for rotating the spindles at the spray station.

Fig. 14 is a detailed view oi the spray station valve mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detailed view similar to Fig. 15 illustrating a modified form of drive for the spindies.

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view on line "-11, Fig. 19.

Fig. 18 is a detailed view illustrating the equalizing mechanism associated with the electors at the discharging station.

Fig. 19 is a vfront elevation of the discharging station.

Fig. 20 is a transverse cross section throh the brushing station.

- Fig. 21 is an end view of an auxiliary discharging station.

Fig. 22 is a cross section on line 22-22, Fig. 20.

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the Path of the conveyor chain.

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view of the left side elevation of the machine indicating the position of the conveyor chain and idler sprockets.

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical connections of the driving motor and other electrical units.

The elements of the machine are supported upon a frame I which, with the exception of oortain portions of the front end of the machine, is enclosed by an outer casing 2 which covers the sides, top and rear portion of the frame. The covering 2 desirably includes removable sections l along the sides and back of the machine thereby to permit access to the mechanism within. The covering 2 forms a main drying chs'nocr I through which the articles are carried '1y a olmveyor chain 5. I

As shown, conveyor chain l carrying the articles makes three consecutive passages through the chamber l, to dry the coats of spray material, of which there may be applied by reason of three separate spray stationsprovided at different 1 levels. Then the articles may be removed from the conveyor chain 'and are ready for use or further processing. 'I'he chain 5, carrying a plurality of article receiving spindles, is endless, and moves from the article loading station to the first spray stationkand from there enters the upper portion of the chamber 4 and traverses the uppermost run of the conveyor chain, indicated by the numeral 6. The chain 5 is disposed with its axes vertical and during each passage through the chamber 4 is caused to pass in a tortuous path from side to side of the machine over groups of sprockets 1 andy 8 (Fig. 3). 'I'he group 1 are idler sprockets, while the group l are driving sprockets.

After traversing the upper level of the chamber, the chain passes from the rear end of the machine, forward and downward along the angular path 9 from where it is conducted across the front end of the machine and passes a second spray station to receive a second coat of spray material, whereupon the articles are carried by the chain through the second or intermediate run of the conveyor, indicated at III (Fig. 2). After traversing the chamber, the chain bearing the articles is conducted forwardly and downward along the angular path II. At the front end of the machine, the chain again traverses the width of the chamber 4 and passes a third spray station, whereupon the articles are then carried through the bottom level I2 of the drying chamber, and after this final passage through the chamber, the conveyor extends forward and upward along the angular path I3 and thus again reaches the starting point. The conveyor chain, as shown, is provided with a plurality of spindles I4 having a pointed upper portion upon which the articles are mpaled.

Desirably a forced circulation of air is maintained in the chamber 4. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner and as shown in the drawings a motor driven fan unit I5 forces air into the chamber. It is desirable that the air be heated to insure thorough drying of the articles, and one method of raising the temperature of the air is to provide one or more electric heating units I8 over which the entering air stream passes. To complete the circulation of air, a suction fan I1 at the forward end of the machine is connected to a vertical exhaust conduit I8, which conduit I8 is provided with a connection I 9 opening into the top of the chamber 4 through which the air is drawn from the chamber 4 and exhausted by the fan. The conduit I8 is also provided with inlet openings at each of the spray stations through which the surplus spray material from the spray guns are drawn into the conduit I8 and then exhausted by the fan. Desirably, the

conduit I8 is divided by vertical partitions to form.

individual passages for the connection I9 and each of the spray guns.

When spraying some types of coating material such as lacquer it improves the finish to subject the coating to a cool non-drying atmosphere for a short period of time directly after the spray operation. To accomplish this result a cool air chamber 20 is formed by isolating a portion of the main drying chamber 4 by means of the partitions 2 I and 22 (Fig. 2). As shown cool chamber 20 is so situated that the articles enter the chamber directly after they have received their third coating of spraying material and while passing through the cool chamber the spray material remains in its liquid state and continues to flow over the surface of the article seeking a common level which produces a fiat even coating of the .material The articles then pass through the heated chamber 4 where the coating is dried.

'I'he length of the chain 5 is determined by two factors: first, the speed with which the chain must travel to present spindles at the loading station at the desired rate of speed and the other factor is the necessary period of time it takes to properly dry the sprayed articles. During the passage of the chain through the drying chamber it is led over the idler sprockets 1 and the driving sprockets 8 which direct it in a tortuous path from side to side of the machine, as shown in Fig. 23.

To drive the conveyor chain smoothly and efficiently means has been provided whereby the necessary driving torque is distributed and applied to the chai-n at a plurality of points throughout its length from a single source of power. As shown the speed of a motor 23 is reduced through a suitable reducing mechanism 24 (Fig. 1). The driven shaft 25 of the speed reducer has fixed therto a sprocket 26 which in turn drives a sprocket 21 by means of a chain 28, sprocket 21 being fixed upon the end of a drive shaft 29 extending substantially the full length of the machine. To obtain the correct speed of the shaft 29 and consequently the desired speed of the chain incase the speed reducing means does not produce the desired speed with a 1 to 1 ratio the correct speed may be obtained by a proper selection of the size of the sprockets 26 and 21. Any suitable means other than that described may be employed to drive the shaft 29.

The shaft 29 is journaled in a. plurality of brackets 30 secured to the main frame (Fig. 2) and is rigid with respect to its torque transmitting characteristic but preferably is provided with a plurality of universal joints 3| situated along its length. `Such joints 3| permit of slight misalignment of the journals in the brackets 30 thus minimizing the otherwise diilcult task of aligning the shaft in its several journals, due to the relatively great length of the shaft 29 and the main frame I.

A plurality of vertically disposed shafts 32 are journaled in brackets 33 secured to the main frame. The shafts 32 are positively driven from the shaft 29 by pairs of beveled gears 34 and each of the shafts 32 has mounted thereon three of the driving sprockets 8 with the exception of the last two shafts at the rear end of the machine which will be described hereinafter. An upper sprocket 35 at the extreme forward end of the machine is pinned or otherwise securely fixed upon its shaft and acts positively to drive the conveyor chain 5 at the required speed, while each sprocket 8 is loosely mounted on its shaft and is provided with a pin 36 projecting upward from the top face thereof. As a driving connection for each sprocket 8 a helical spring 31 surrounds the shaft 32 and is anchored at its lower end upon the pin 36. The upper end of the spring 31 is secured to a collar 38 which is rigidly secured to the shaft. Desirably, the upper end of the spring is bent backwardly upon itself to form a U-shaped bend which engages with a pin secured in the collar 38. The springs are preloaded a predetermined amount in a manner to be described. Thus, as the shaft 29 is driven. a resilient driving torque is applied to the sprockets which in turn drive the chain. Gther means than that described and illustrated may be used to obtain a resilient transmission of torque to the chain.

Each of the shafts 32 is journaled in three brackets 33 secured to longitudinally extending rails 39 which constitute a part of the main frame and extend throughout the entire length thereof. Desirably, the brackets 36 are also secured to the lower of these longitudinal rails 38.

Assuming a starting point of chain travel as being at the sprocket 35, the chain passes from the sprocket over the upper idler sprocket 1 rotatably mounted preferably upon roller bearings upon a vertical shaft 4I| which is supported upon the main frame by means of brackets 4| (Figs. 2 and 23). From this point the chain passes transversely across the machine where it is received upon an idler sprocket 42 rotatably mounted on anti-friction bearings similarly to the sprocket 1 upon a shaft 43 which is secured to the main frame. There are a plurality of shafts 43 mounted upon the main frame in the same manner as the shaft 40. Each of the shafts 43 have mounted thereon three sprockets 42 each of which act as directional sprockets for the passage of the chain through the three levels 6, I0 and I2 of the drying chamber 4. From the sprocket 42 above mentioned the chain again traverses the width of the machine and passes over an upper idler sprocket 1 on `a shaft 44. A plurality of shafts 44 are disposed along the right side of the machine which are all mounted in a similar manner in brackets 45. Following the chain from the last mentioned idler sprocket it again traverses the chamber 4 where it is received upon another sprocket 42 which in turn returns the chain to a driving sprocket 8 on the driving shaft 32. The chain continues to pass from side to side of the chamber 4 engaging successively the various idler and driving sprockets until it leaves the last idler sprocket 42` at the rear end of the upper lever 6 of the chain. It then passes over a directional pulley 46 which causes the chain to leave the sprocket tangentlally thereto. As previously pointed out the chain passes forward and downward to the next lower level I0 where it follows a path similar to that above described and is led from the vlast idler sprocket 42 over another directional pulley 41 from` where it passes to the lower level I2 of the chain.

At this level the chain is given a longer path through the chamber by passing from the last driving sprocket 8 successively over idler sprockets 48, 49 and' 50, thence over the driving sprocket 5I and the idler 52 after which it returns to the upper level 5 along the angular path I3. Desirably the idler 52 is adjustable to take up slack in the chain. This may be accomplished in any desirable manner and as herein shown the sprocket is rotatably mounted in a bracket 53 which is adjustable horizontally along a slide 54 xed on the main frame (Fig. 4). The bracket 53 which is secured in adjusted position upon the slide by means of bolts 55 the heads of which are received in the T-slots 56 in the slide 54. 'Ihe bracket 53 is angularly adjustable with respect to the slide 54. This adjustment is obtained by providing slots in the bracket within which are received the bolts 55.

The bracket 53 is also provided with a cylindrical boss 55a projecting into a horizontal slot 56a in the slide 56 acting to guide the bracket during adjustment. The angle of the bracket 53 should be such that the chain leaves the sprocket tangentially to the angular run of chain I3. 'I'he idler 52 is spaced outwardly from the main frame I in such position that the run of chain I3 and the articles carried thereby will be spaced from the other runs of the chain 8 and II sufficiently to prevent interference therewith.

In addition to the idler sprocket already described an idled sprocket 51 is situated in proper position to receive and guide the run of chain Il as it leaves the chamber 4 and passes across tho front end of the machine. Just before the chain reaches the idler 51lit passes over a directional pulley 5l (Figs. 23 and 24) which causes the chain to approach the idler 51 ln a horizontal position. Another idler sprocket 50 receives and guides the run of chain 6I as it passes across the front of the machine. A third idler sprocket Il receives and guides the chain in its third run Il across the m'achine (Fig. 23).

The preloading of the springs 31 to establish the desired torque applied to the chain at the driving points may be accomplished in any oon venient manner. A desirable method is as follows. When assembling the chain upon the sprockets all slack between Ithe driving sprockets is taken up as the chain is wrapped around luccessive driving sprockets. When wrapping the chain around the sprocket there should be no tension in the springs 31. Desirably, the collars 38 are provided with set screws 64 (Fig. 2A). During the assembling of the chain upon the sprockets the said screws are loosened to permit the collars to rotate upon the shaft. To tension the i springs 31 the collars are now rotated thus causing the sprockets to exert a driving torque 'upon the chain. When the springs are properly and equally tensioned the set screws 84 are tightened and if desired the collars may be permanently keyed or pinned upon their shafts. The proper tension to be applied to the springs is determined by the weight of the chain and its friction between driving points. This tension should be sufilcient tu overcome all but a slight component of the necessary force, and at least sumcient to move the length or chain between ea` resilient torque transmitting sprocket and thebls'ujocket next proceeding. Thme sprockets 8 are synchronlld withA the movement of the positive driven sprocket and ordinary movement of the chain. When the machine is started the tension in the spring is maintained by a rotation of the driving shafts I2. If the slight elongation of the chain takes place the resilience in the spring automatically oompensatesfor such changes and prevents the accumulation of undesirable stress or slackness in the various sections of the -chain. The over-all slackness in the chain is taken up by adjustment of the idler sprocket 52. Obviously by employing .the principles of this driving system va chain of great length may be efliciently driven.

While the machine herewith described may be used to coat any article its use will herein be described in connection with shoe heels. As hereinbefore stated, chain 5 is provided with a plu rality of spindles I4 preferably vertically disposed and spaced as closely together as the spraying operation will permit. The spindles are for the purpose of receiving the heels to be coated and have a body portion 68 (Fig. 8) which has an axial bore 61. The spindles are rotatively received upon a bushing 58 which is pressed into position upon an extension 66 of the pivot stud 16 of the chain 5, The upper end of the body portion of the spindle is provided with a sharpened point 1I (Figs. 8, 9 and 10) which preferably is hardened and such point 1I preferably is removable from the spindle and is heldin position within the bore 12 by means of a set screw 13 which has threaded engagement with the internally thread- 7| ed upper portion of the bore 81. The set screw 18 engages the enlarged lower end of the pin 1| thus rmly clamping the pin in position. The bottom end oi' the spindle 88 has formed thereon a pinion gear 18 by means of which the spindle is rotated during the spraying operation and such spindle rests upon a valve tripping member 18 which may be of any suitable construction and as herein shown is in the form of a collar slidable vertically upon the bushing 88. The tripping member is provided with a ilange portion 11 the purpose of which will hereinafter appear and a chamber 18 is formed within the tripping member to receive a friction member 18 in the form of a spiral spring which frictionally engages the bushing 88 and seats upon the end walls ofthe chamber 18. Such tripping member is thus caused to have frictional engagement with the bushing and tends to hold the tripping member in any position to which it is moved along the bushing 88. Normally the tripping member 18 engagesthe top face of a disk 88 which is rotatably mounted on the extension 88 of the chain pivot pin 18 and the lower face of the disk 88 engages a link of the chain 8 and is held against upward movement by the lower edge of the bushing 88. The disk 88 acts to engage and actuate various control valves to be hereinafter described.

The loading station is preferably pneumatically operated and its operation automatically controlled by a suitable air valve .actuated in timed relation to the speed oi.' the chain. The chief purpose of the loading station is to impale the heels upon the pointed ends of the spindle 85 as they are fed thereto by an operator. The mechanism includes two principal elements one of which ".s an air cylinder 8| which actuates an impaling ram 82 while the other element is a feeding platform 83 upon which the heels are placed by the operator (Figs. 4, and 6). Since the chain is continually in motion while the machine operates the ram, the ram and platform must be given motion in theA same direction as the chain during the impaling operation. To accomplish this result the cylinder 8| is pivoted to swing about a vertical axis upon a shaft 84 (Fig. 5) journaled in a bracket 85 rigidly secured to a support rigid with the main frame of the machine. The lower end of the shaft has an extension 86 rigidly secured thereto which has a bore forming a pneumatic cylinder Within which is received a piston 81 to which is connected a piston rod 88 provided with a pair of oppositely disposed keys 88a which are slidable axially Within complementary grooves in the lower end of the extension 86. The purpose of the cylinder and piston will hereinafter appear. The lower end of the rod 88 is journaled in a block 88 secured in fixedrelation to the bracket 85 and has rigidly secured thereto an arm 88 which projects into the path of the chain 5. 'I'he outer end of the arm 88 is suitably shaped to be engaged by the collars 16 on the spindle assemblies and is picked up during chain travel by the collars 18 on the chain substantially at the right hand dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 to move the ram and the loading platform with the chain during the article loading operation.

The movement of the arm 88 rotates the shaft 88 which in turn rotates the shaft 84 and thus moves the ram 82 and loading platform 83 in a substantially straight path above the chain 5. Since the distance between the axis of the shaft 88 and the center of the chain and the distance between the axis of the ram and the axis of the shaft 84 are the same the ram is moved at the same speed as the chain. When the ram has reached the end of its travel the arm 88 will have reached the left hand dotted position shown in Fig. 3 and will at this time disengase from the chain and return to its initial position under the action of a tension spring .8| connected at one end to the arm 88 and at its other end to the frame, the loading platform moving with the ram. To minimize the lateral stresses upon the shaft 88 and thereby permit its free rotational and axial movement another spring 82 desirably is attached to another arm 88 projecting outward from the shaft 88 in a direction opposite to that of the arm 88. The spring 82 acts in a direction opposite to that of the yspring 8| and tends to rotate the shaft 88 in the same direction tending to return the ram 82 to its initial position. 'I'he outer end of the spring 82 may be secured to the frame of the machine in any suitable manner.

The upper end of the ram 82 has secured thereto a piston 84 which oscillates in a cylinder bore 85 within the ram supporting member, the piston and the ram being normally held in their extreme upper position by a compression spring 86 surrounding the ram and received in a chamber 81. Such spring 88 is seated at one end upon the. bottom wall of the chamber 81 and at its other end against the lower face of the piston 84. Downward travel ofthe piston under the action of compressed air is resisted by the. spring 88 but is actually limited by its engagement with the shoulder 88. The ram 82 preferably is axially bored and internally threaded throughout a portion of the bore to receive the threaded end of a heel contacting member 88, whereby the length of the ram is adjustable to accommodate different heights of heels by adjusting the member 88 within the bore of the ram 82. A lock nut |88 is provided for locking the member 88 in adjusted position. It is desirable that the ram be prevented from rotation and this end may be accomplished by forming a groove |8| longitudinally for a portion of the length of the ram within which is received the end of a screw |82 which acts as a key to prevent rotation of the ram and permit its free axial bodily movement.

Air for operating the piston and ram is fed to the cylinder 85 through a flexible conduit |83 which feeds air to the upper end of the cylinder through a suitable tting, the conduit |83 being connected to a feed pipe line |84 which, in turn, is connected to a valve casing |85 having a valve |88 therein. Such valve is held on its seat by a spring |81, and is provided with a stem extension |88 projecting out of the casing into the path of a cam |88 upon the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft ||8 journaled in a guide plate securely fastenedupon a cross member I2 which, in turn, is rigidly secured to the frame. The upper end of the shaft ||8 has secured thereto a lever arm ||3 upon the other end of which is pivotally received a valve actuator ||4 which is pivotally connected at its other end to a lever arm ||5 which, in turn, is mounted upon the upper end of a vertical shaft ||8 journaled in the plate movement the member ||4 moves with a monon parauel to the path of the' chain s. The member 4 projects through an opening ||1 in the plate and into the path of the chain 5 where it is engaged by the disks 88 upon the spindles I4 as they pass the loading station. En-

gagement of the disk with the member ||4 acts through the shaft I I0 and the cam |08 to open the valve |03 thus actuating the ram 82. If it be desired to operate the conveyor chain without operating the ram, a valve ||3 may be inserted in the air line |04. By cutting of! the air supply with a valve ||8 the ram is rendered inoperative. i

It is important that the initial position of the arm 30 be positively determined each time it returns from its active stroke for the reason that it must be properly positionedto be engaged and picked up by the succeeding spindle upon the chain. Any suitable means may be provided to linut the backward movement of the ram. As shown in the drawings the upper end of the shaft 84 has secured thereto a gear I|8 which rotates within a chamber formed in the upper end of a journaled block 85. A rack |20 is slidably received in the block which meshes with the gear ||8 (Figs. 4 and 5). A screw threaded stop plug |2| is received within a threaded aperture situated in alignment with the path of travel of the rack |20. By adjusting the position of the plug rack |20 may be made to engage the plug I2| when the ram has arrived at its correct initial position.

'I'he plate I I| (Figs. 4, 5 and 8) constitutes one member of a spindle guiding mechanism which stabilizes the spindles laterally and protects the lower part thereof as they traverse the loading station. 'Ihe plate III is provided at its upper end with an inwardly projecting flange |22 (Fig. 5) extending throughout the length of the-plate I I I. The other member of the guiding mechanism is a plate |23 similar in construction to the plate III and is oppositely disposed thereto to form a narrow chamber which embraces the chain and a portion of the spindles as they pass therethrough. the plate |23 being provided with an inwardly extending flange |24 similar to the flange |22. 'Ihe inner face of the flanges |22 and |24 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the body portion 86 of the spindles thus forming a guideway for the upper ends of the spindles firmly supporting them against lateral movement. The lower ends of the spindles are guided and supported by side rails |25 (Fig. 5) preferably extending throughout the length of the plates and |23 and project between the inner faces of the connecting links |25 of the chain. 'Ihe inner faces `of the side rails |25 thus form a guideway for the rollers |21 of the chain and are spaced apart suiiiciently to provide a slight amount of clearance to permit the chain to move freely between the plates. 'I'he chain and spindle are firmly supported from the bottom by a block |21: extending throughout the length of the plates and |23. The block |212: is provided with a groove to receive `the protruding ends of the chain pivot studs. The spindles of the chain are thus firmly guided and protected during the operation ofimpaling the heels upon the spindles.

As shown, the platform 83 for receiving the articles has a vertical ange I 28 which is bolted to a plate |28 (Fig. 4) which, in turn, is rigidly secured toa platform supporting post |30. Desirably the platform is provided with adjustable heel positioning guides including a back positioning guide |3| and a side positioning guide |32. The platform 83 is angularly adjustable about an axis parallel to the path of the chain. This adjustment may -be provided for in any suitable manner and as herein illustrated the plato |28 is provided with radially formed slots Ill within which are received bolts |34 which have threaded engagement with the flange |23. To adjust the platform a heel is placed thereon and the angle thereof is adjusted until the tread or top surface of the heel lies in a horizontal plans to be squarely engaged by the ram 82 as shown Ill Figs. 4 and 5. The heel positioning guides |3| and |32 are adjustable to enable the operator to properly position the heel upon the platform directly beneath the ram.

The supporting post |30 is vertically movable in a boss |35 integral with a carriage |35 (Fig. 4). The carriage has a dovetailed groove therein within which is received a dovetailed slide |31 which is secured to the block 35 in a position parallel to the path of the chain. The c |35 is connected to the ram cylinder 8| by means of a link |38 one end of which is pivotally received upon the lower end of the cylinder 8| the axis d! the pivot point being in alignment with the axis of the ram. The other end of the link |38 is pivoted upon the carriage by means of a stud |39. The link |38 is curved in shape to avoid engagement with the post |30. Movement of the ram cylinder is thus transmitted to the carriage which in turn causes the platform to follow all movements of the cylinder 8|, the motion of the platform being in a straight line parallel to the path of the chain. 'I'he upper end of the post |30 projects beyond the boss |35 and engages a cam lever |40 pivoted upon the upper end of the ram cylinder. The cam lever has a cam flee |4I thereon which is engaged by the lower end of a screw |42 adjustable vertically in a bracket |43 of the machine. As the ram cylinder moves with the chain the screw |42 engages the cam face |4| forcing the cam lever downwardly which in turn pushes the post |30 and the platform downwardly against the action of the spring |44 surrounding the post |30 and received within an enlarged bore in the boss |35. Ihe spring |44 seats at its lower end against the shoulder at the bottom of the enlarged bore and its upper end against a collar |45 fixed to the post |33 and slidable within the enlarged bore. Normally the spring |44 holds the platform in its uppermost position which position is determined by a stop collar |45 having screw threaded engagement with the post |30. The initial or upper position of the platform 83 is therefore determined by the adjustment of the collar |46 which is provided with a set screw |41 for locking the collar in its adjusted position.

It is desirable to cushion the end of the return movement of the ram cylinder and platform which may be done in any desired manner. One method of accomplishing this result is to pro vide a dash-pot |48 (Fig. 7) which is secured to the outer end of the slide |31. A plunger |48 is secured upon the end of the carriage |33 in axial alignment with the dash-pot and enters the dashpot throughout a portion of the final return motion of the carriage |38.

An air connection |50 communicates from the upper end of the cylinder to the bore in the extension or cylinder 85 below the piston l1. The piston 81 is floating with respect to the rod 88 having a loose T-slot connection therewith. The looseness of the connection prevents the possibility of cramping the piston within the cylinder if misalignment of the rod 88 and the piston should take place. The effective area of the piston 81 is determined by the din'erence in area 75 of the piston and the upper end of the rod 88 and is much less than the area of the piston 94.

Means are provided for preventing the platform 83 from swinging out of position during the loading operation. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner such as by means of a spline connection between the post |30 and the boss |35. Desirably a spline |5| (Fig. 4) is fixed in the post |30 and has vertical axial movement within a slot formed in the boss |35.

The operation of the loading station is as follows; When a spindle enters the loading zone the operator places a heel in correct position upon the platform as determined by the guides 3| and |32. The air valve |06 is timed to open directly after a sufficient period has elapsed to enable the operator to place a heel on the platform. When the valve opens the ram operates to impale the heel upon the pin 1|. The length of the ram is so adjusted as to force the heel downwardly until the pin 1| penetrates the heel a predetermined amount suflicient in depth to retain the heel firmly in place thereon. At the end of this impaling stroke the piston 94 seats upon the shoulder 98. The action of the ram as the pin penetrates the heel moves the platform 83 downwardly and when the ram has completed its movement the cam lever |40 engages the screw |42 and forces the platform down away from contact with the heel thus permitting the spindle and the impaled heel to move freely away from the loading station. As previously pointed out during the impaling operation the platform and the ram travel at the same speed as the spindle. At the end of the impaling operation the arm disengages from the chain thus permitting the ram cylinder and platform to return to its starting position under the action of the springs 9| and 92. When the succeeding spindle arrives at the loading zone the operations above described are repeated. At the end of this sequence of operations the valve |06 closes and pressure within the cylinder is exhausted through the port |06a. The central section of the stem of the valve is reduced in diameter to permit flow of air while the outer end of the valve stem fits the valve stem chamber closely and prevents escape of air in that direction. In Fig. 4 the valve is shown open at which time the exhaust port |06a is covered by the large outer portion of the valve stem. When the valve is closed by the spring |01 the exhaust port is opened and the accumulated air in the cylinder escapes to the atmcsphere. To provide clearance for the spindles as they traverse the loading station a slot is formed in the platform 83 and is continued upward into the plates |28 and |29.

During the operation of the machine'if the operator fails to place a heel in position upon the platform the ram will operate and when it reaches the bottom of its stroke the pressure in the cylinder will increase until it reaches the pressure in the air line |04. This pressure is conducted through the air connection |50 to the piston 81. The air pressure at this time is sufcient to raise the shaft 88 and the arm 90. 'I'he arm 90 in its upward movement engages the flange 11 on the collar 16 which raises the collar and the spindle a predetermined amount and due to the frictional engagement of the collar upon the bushing 68 the collar and spindle remain in their raised position, as shown in Fig. 6. The upward movement of the arm 90 is limited by engagement of a stop collar, adjustably received on the lower end of the shaft 88, with the block 89. When the cylinders have been exhausted a compression spring |52 surrounding the shaft 88 acts to return the arm to its normal position.

The collar or tripping member 16 is raised a distance sufficient to avoid engagement of the valve actuator associated with the valve which admits air to the spray gun. When the raised tripping member passes the spray station the spray gun fails to operate, and no spray material is wasted. In a subsequent operation the tripping member 16 and the spindle are forced down into normal position before they again reach the loading station in a manner to be described. It will be noted that the piston 81 is raised subsequently to the downward stroke of the piston 94. When the air is first admitted to the cylinder 95 it expands and its pressure drops momentarily while the piston 81 is unaffected due to its relatively small effective area and the weight and friction of the parts connected thereto. However, at the end of the stroke of the piston 94, the pressure builds up and when maximum pressure is reached, the piston 81 is actuated, but obviously if a'heel is present, the tripping member and spindle are prevented from moving upward. Other means than that shown may be employed to raise the arm 90 and lift the tripping members 16, when no heel is presented at the loading station.

Another mechanism for effecting the'lifting of the tripping members is shown in Fig. 9. This mechanism operates mechanically and comprises a lever |53 fulcrumed adjacent to its center upon a block |54 rigidly secured to the ram cylinder. One end of the lever preferably is bifurcated and embraces the ram 82. The other end of the lever has gear teeth formed thereon disposed in the form of a segment |55, having its axis at the fulcrum of the lever. The segment |55 meshes with a circular rack |56 formed on the shaft |51. The shaft |51 is similar in construction and function to the shaft 88 and is splined to the pivot shaft 84 upon which the ram cylinder swings. The shaft |51 has an arm |58 secured to the lower end thereof. The arm |58 is identical in structure with thearm 90 and functions in the same manner.

The operation of this form of the mechanism is as follows. The lever |53 is adapted to be engaged by the locknut |00 upon the ram 82. The lever |53 is positioned to permit the ram to descend a distance sufficient to impale the heels upon the spindles before it engages the lever. When a heel is present, therefore, no movement is imparted to the lever. At this time, however, the ram has not reached the limit of its travel downward and should there be no heel present, it continues downward, and in doing so, engages and moves the lever |53 about its fulcrum, which raises the shaft |51 and the arm |58, which in turn, raises the tripping member 16 and its associated spindle. When the spindle with no heel thereon passes the spray station, the spray gun fails to operate, thereby preventing waste of spray material. A spring |59 acts to depress the arm |58 immediately after the ram is again raised by vits spring. The spring |59 surrounds the shaft |51 and engages the arm |58 at one end and at its other end a boss |60 on the block 89 through which the shaft |51 passes.

The heels pass from the loading station through a brushing station |6| -(Fig. 20). This station is provided with two or more fixed brushes arranged with the ends-of their bristles opposing and spaced apart the required distance to thoroughly brush the heels as they pass therebetween. Any matter brushed from the heels is conducted away through an opening |82l which communicateswith the conduit I8 and is thus carried away by the fan '|1. Desirably the brushes are mounted on supports |88 which pro- .ject through the casing |84 and are secured in adjusted position in any suitable manner such as by means of set screws.

From the brushing station the heels are conveyed to the spray station wherein the chain and spindles are nrmly guided as they pass therethrough in a manner similar to that employed at the loading station. A pair of plates |84 and |88 (Fig. l1) are situated on opposite sides of the chain and secured to a base plate |88 rigidly fastened to the support ||2. The plates have inwardly extending flanges |88 acting to guide the upper end of the spindles while the chain and the lower end of the spindles is guided laterally by the side rails |81 while the bottom of the chain is supported by a guide block |88.

To properly spray coat the heels they must be rotated during the spraying operation. It has been determined that two complete revolutions or more are required to obtain the best results. This rotation must be sumciently fast to take piace within the length of time it takes the spindles to travel through the zone of spray from. the spray gun. To obtain the required rotation a mechanism is provided the necessary power for which is obtained from the chain itself. A sprocket |88 is mounted upon a vertical stud shaft |10 secured rigidly upon the base plate |88 (Figs. ll and 12). Rigid with the sprocket and rotating upon the shaft therewith is a gear |1| which meshes with a gear |12 which is keyed to a shaft |18. The shaft |18 is journaled in the outer end of an arm |14 which lis pivotally mounted to swing upon the stud shaft |10, and the shaft i 18 projects upward through and beyond the arm |14 and is keyed to a gear |15 the periphery of which projects into an opening |18 in the plate |84 (Fig. 11). The arm |14 has a boss or shoulder |11 projecting outwardly from the outer end thereof into the path cf a plunger |18 which is slidably received in a horizontal bore |18 in a post |80 rigidly secured to the base plate |88. 'I'he plunger is provided with a stem |8| which is received in an aperture |82 at the bottom of the bore 18. The plunger is backed by a spring |88 which surrounds the stem and seats at one end against the bottom of the bore and at its other end against the bottom of the plunger. The plunger therefore urges the arm |14 and gear |18 resiliently inward toward the chain. The plane of the gear |15 conincides. with the plane of the gear 15 on the spindle and meshes therewith as the spindles pass through the spraying zone. The inward movement of the gear |18 toward the spindle 15 is limited by ensagement of the shoulder |11 with a stop |84. The stop is so positioned that when shoulder |11 is in contact `therewith the gear |15 is in position to mesh with the gears 15 on the spindles at the entering end of the spraying zone. The gears remr`n in mesh throughout the traverse of the spindle through the spraying zone.

The spray gun |88 is controlled by an air valve |88 withina valve casing |81 (Figs. 11 and l2). The valve is similar in construction to the valve described in connection with the loading station but has no exhaust port and is heid closed by a spring. The stem |88 of the valve. |88 projects into the path of a cam |88 fixed upon the lower end of the vertical shaft joumaled in a on the plate |84. The upper end of the shaft |80 has fixed thereon an arm |8| upon which is pivoted one end of a valve actuator |82 the other end of which is pivoted upon the 'outer end of an arm |88 having the same length as the arm |8| and disposed in parallel relation thereto. The arm |88 is secured upon the end of a vertical shaft |84 journaled in the plate |84, which shaft |84 functions as a support and pivot for the arm |88. When the valve |88 is closed the left hand end of the valve actuator |82 projects into the path of the tripping member 18 and when engaged thereby the valve actuator opens the Lvalve |88 and retains it in open position until the shoulder |88 is reached at which time the actuator disengages from the tripping member and the valve closes as is best shown in Figs. l1 and 12. The length of the valve actuator from its left hand end to the shoulder |88 determines the length of time the spray gun acts. The active period oi' the spray gun therefore is predetlmined by properly designing the valve actua r.

The air supply for actuating the spray gun is received through the pipe line |88 which enters the valve casing |81. When the valve opens, air is admitted to' the line |81 which preferably is flexible and connected at one end to the outlet of the valve and at its other end to the spray gun. The spray material enters the spray gun through the conduit |88 which is connected to a suitable reservoir |88 (Fig. 1) containing the spray material. The flexibility of the conduits |81 and |88 permits the gun to be adjusted into correct spraying position. To facilitate such adjustment a support 200 is provided, the lower end of which is adjustably received in a block 28| rigidly secured to the base plate |88. The upper end of the support 200 is provided with a flexible connection 202 which clamps the upper end of the support and is adiustable along the length thereof. The connection 202 is also provided with a clamping means for receiving the spray gun. The connection 202 is universally adjustable to enable the spray gun to be moved into its proper spraying position.

'I'he spindle rotating mechanism is enclosed in a casing 208 (Fig. 1) to protect it from spray material coming from the spray gun. 'Ihe upper section of the spindles is the only portion of tho moving elements 'which is exposed to the spray. The casing 208 therefore prevents the accumulation of spray material on the working parts of the mechanism. 'I'he spray station desirably is also provided with a hood204 to prevent surplus spray material from escaping into the atmosphere. The hood communicates with the exhausting conduit |8 tlrough which a draft of air is drawn by the fan 1.

'I'he operation of the spray station is as follows. As the spindles bearing the heels reach a predetermined point. the pinion gear 18 thereon engages and meshes with the gear |18 and remains in mesh therewith while the spindles pass through the spraying zone after which they disengage from the gear |18. `As the pinion gear traverses the curvature of the gear |18 the gear yields outwardly forcing the shoulder` |11 on the arm |14 against the spring pressed plunger |18. Simultaneously with the meshing of the gears 15 and |18 the `valve actuator is engaged by a tripping member 18 on the spindle bearing the heel to be sprayed. 'I'he heel then receives its coat of spray material while it is rotated by the gear |15. At the same time that the gear 15 disengages from the gear |15 the valve |86 closes and the spray coated heel passes along and enters the drying chamber. It is desirable to rotate the heel two or more complete revolutions while it is passing through the spraying zone. The rotating mechanism herein described imparts the necessary rotation to the spindles. The peripheral speed of the gear |15 is substantially the same as the speed of the chain but is traveling in the opposite direction at the point where engagement with the spindles takes place. The relative speed between the periphery of the gear and that of the chain is therefore substantially twice that of the speed of the chain. 'I'he resulting speed of the spindle therefore is doubled over that which it would have if the pinion 15 engaged with a stationary rack. As shown herein the pitch diameter of the gears |1| and |12 are the same. To vary the degree of rotation obtained from the mechanism the ratio of the pitches of these gears may be chosen to produce the desired degree of rotation.

In place of the teeth of the intermeshing gears 15 and |15 other means may be employed to transmit the desired rotation to the spindles. For instance, a friction drive may be established such as that shown in Figs. 13 and 15. In this construction the spindle is provided with a V groove 205 whose driving faces 206 may be disposed at the proper angle to produce maximum emciency. In place of the gear |15 a friction wheel 201 is provided. The friction wheel 201 is provided with a driving face properly shaped to enter the V groove 205 and engage the driving faces 206 thereof. Desirably the friction faces 208 upon the wheel 201 are convex in form and engage the sides of the V groove along a minimum area. 'I'he period of time during which the wheel 201 is in engagement with the spindles is adjustable in the same manner as the intermeshing gears 15 and |15. While the V grooved Wheel on the spindle is traversing the curved periphery of the wheel 201 the wheel and the arm |14 yieldoutwardlv against the plunger |18. Any suitable material may be employed for the friction faces 208.

Still another form of drive may be emp..,yed for rotating the spindles as shown in Fig. 16 wherein one of the `interengaging members 201 and 15 may be resilient and the other non-resilient and having projections such as teeth formed on its periphery. As shown the wheel 201 is provided with a resilient face 201a While the spindle 65 is provided with a non-resilient engaging member such as a gear 15. In this form of drive the teeth sink into and deform the resilient face 201a as shown, thereby establishing a drive which may be considered practically positive in its action.

As above set forth, there are three spray stations on the machine. Each of these stations is identical in structure. 'I'he above description of one, therefore, will be sufllcient. The stations may be supplied with spray material in any desired manner. As shown in the drawings, the guns |85, 209 and 2| 0 are respectively supplied with spray material by the containers |99, 2|| and 2 I2, each gun being connected with its respective container by a suitable line of tubing. The air is supplied to the machine through a pipe line 2|3 connected to a compressor and accumulator which are not shown in the drawings. Desirably, the air is first conducted through one or more separators 2|4 within which excessive moistln'e and foreign matter in the air is removed.` From the separators the air passes to a manifold 2|5. Air connections |95, 2I6 and 2|1 communicate with their respective spray guns and are desirably provided with automatic reducing valves 2|8 which are manually adjustable to obtain the desired pressure upon the spray guns. To force the spray material to the guns, air pressure is admitted from the main air supply to the containers in the usual manner and desirably the pressure on the spray material is automatically maintained constant by suitable reducing valves 2|9.

After each coat of spray material has been applied to the heels they pass through the drying chamber in the manner hereinbefore set forth and arrive at the discharging station. The discharging station is provided with a ram composed of two or more ejectors 220 (Figs. 17, 18 and 19) which engage the heel from below and strip them from the pins 1| on the spindles and cause them to fall into a receptacle 22| (Fig. 1). The ram or ejector is, as shown, pneumatically operated and may conveniently be operated from the valve |06 which controls the loading station. A separate valve may, however, be employed to operate the discharging means. The air line |04 is provided with a branch line 222 which conducts air into the cylinder 223 formed in a cylinder block 224 bolted to a supporting plate 225 rigidly fixed upon the main frame of the machine (Fig. 17). The piston 226 projects beyond the cylinders and has a reduced end portion upon which is received a yoke member 221 to which is secured a slide 228 axially movable within a bore 229 within the block 224 parallel to the axis of the cylinder 223. The slide 228 has a reduced end portion extending through the yoke 221. The piston and slide are held in rigid parallel relation by means of the nuts 230 having screw threaded engagement with the reduced portions of the piston and slide.

The slide 228 has a reduced portion 23| at its end opposite to its connection to the yoke 221 and this portion 23| passes through the end of the block 224 and is provided with a spring 232 seated at one end upon the bottom of a counterbore 233 in the end of the block. The other end of the spring bears against a sleeve nut 234 which has threaded engagement with the outer end of the portion 23|. The position of the sleeve upon the extension 23| is ilxed by a lock nut 235. The spring 232 acts to maintain the piston and slide in their extreme right hand position. When air is admitted to the cylinder the piston and slide are forced toward the left with considerable force. It is desirable therefore to cushion the end of the working stroke of the piston. One method of obtaining this result is to secure a relatively heavy spring 235 upon the sleeve portion of the nut 234. The spring 236 is shorter than the spring 232 and engagesthe block 224 after the piston has traveled about one-half oi its stroke. During the balance of the working stroke both springs 235 and 232 areacting to retard the motion of the parts. 'I'he springs thus act to prevent the slide 228 from terminating its stroke with a hammer blow which would cause rapid wear and deterioration of the mechanism.

The slide 228 has formed therein a longitu- I dinally disposed slot 231 within which is pivotally received one end of a link 238 the other end of which is pivoted to a plunger 239, which plunger 239 reciprocates within a frame 240 rigidly secured to the plate 225. Cooperating with and driven by the plunger 239 are a pair of ejectors 220 which engage the heel or other object and strip it from the pin 'Il in the end of the spindle. Preferably the electors and plunger 23| are disposed at an angle from -the vertical. thereby to permit the electors to engage the heel adjacent a line drawn longitudinally of the chain and through the axis of the spindle. The angular disposition of the electors also causes the heels to fall outward away from the machine when they are elected.

The connection between the plunger 28| and the electors is in the form of an equaliser 2l2, one end of which is cylindrical and is rotatably received within a bore 24| in the plunger. The other end of the equalizer is in the form of a bar 2 disposed at right angles to the other end .thereof to form a T-shaped member. The prolecting ends of the bar 2 are received in notches 2|| in the lower ends of the electors 22| desirably, but not necessarily, the electors are cylindrical and the notches 24| are milled substantially through one-half of their diameter, the top and bottom walls of the notches being divergent inwardly. 'I'he ends of the bar 2 are rounded and received within the tapered notches as shown in Fig. 18. The two electors, therefore. may move relatively to one another, and, in so doing, the equalizer rocks about the axis of its cylindrical portion. To facilitate the construction and assembly of the electing means, the electors 22| desirably are received in parallel bores 24| in a removable block 241 secured in po sition adjacent and parallel to the plunger 23| by means of screws 24|.

At the discharging stationthe chain is received between a pair of plates 24| fixed to the plate 22|. 'I'he upper ends of the plates have secured rigidly to their inner face a pair of guide bars which embrace the body of the spindle and present shoulders 260 adapted to engage the shoulder 25| upon the spindles above the pinion gear 1| thereon. The engagement of the shoull.lers 2|| with the shoulder 2|i prevents the spindles from lifting upon their bushings when the heels are stripped from the pins 1I. The guide bars project beyond the plates in the direction from which the chain approaches the discharging station and this end oi theI bars are disposed at an angle to the chain with their `extreme left hand end as shown in Fig. 19 in such position that the shoulder 2|| is slightly higher than the shoulder 25| of the spindles when they are in their raised position. The shoulder 2|| therefore acts to cam the spindles downward upon their respective bushings into normal position as the chain carries the spindles into the discharging zone. When the spindles have reached "the portion 2|2 of the guidel bars the shoulders 2|ll are parallel to and spaced from the chain to cause the spindles to assume their normal position. While the chain passes through the discharging station its weight is supported by a guide block m.

The operation of the discharging station is as follows. As above pointed out the electors are positioned at a point along the chain in advance of the loading station and at such distance therefrom that when the valve of the loading station is open, a point 'il of the spindle which is at this time passing the discharging station will be centrally positioned therebetween. The air admitted at this time through the pipe 222 actuates the piston 22| which in turn actuates the electors through the medium of the plunger 22| and the slide 22|. It will be noted that while the motion of the piston 226 is substantially uniform the motion of the plunger 23| and the electors 22| are modified by the link 28|. During the nrst part of the stroke of the piston the motion of the electors is relatively rapid and substantially the same as that of the piston. At about medium position as shown in full lines in Fig. i'l the speed of the piston and electors remains approximately the same. As the electors approach the end of their stroke, where they engage with the heel, their motion is decelerated until the link reaches the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. ll at which time the electors will have completed their working stroke. At this time no motion is transmitted to the electors and the heels will have been removed from the pins 1 I. The deceleration of the final thrust of the electors causes the heels to be removed without being thrown with force away from the machine.

If the bottom face of a heel or any other oblect being sprayed be irregular, the equalizing member of the electing means insures a symmetrical application of force upon the object. Should one of the electors engage the oblect in advance of the other this elector would yield until the other elector engaged the oblect and then the electing force would be applied equally at both points of contact. In this manner the elected object will fall within a limited area where they are readily received in a container. Such a means of removing the completed articles not only facilitates their handling but also prevents inlury thereto by forcible contact with other objects in the container. Exhausting of the air at the loading station also exhausts the cylinder 22| thus permitting the spring 222 to return the electors to their initial position.

As a safety feature to prevent the nnished heels or other articles from injuring the loading station in case the discharging station failed to operate, an additional stripping or electing means is provided. This electing means is situated between the above described discharging station and the loading station. Any suitable means may be employed to accomplish this end. As herein shown in Fig. 21, a pair of plates 2|4 embrace the chain and are secured to the cross member II2 of the main frame. A pair of stripping plates 2|| are firmly secured to the inner faces of the upper portion of the plates 2M. The plates 2|| are separated sumciently to allow the body portion of the spindles.to pass freely therebetween while their lower edges 2|| are positioned to engage the shoulder 2|| on the spindles during the stripping of the heels. The upper edges 2|1 of the platea 2|| are disposed at an angle longitudinally and are beveled laterally to present a narrow edge for engagement with the heels. If the heel should remain on a spindle after passing the main diacharging station the heel will engage the platea 2|| and will be stripped from their spindles as they are carried through the second discharging station by reason of the angular disposition of the upper edges of the plates 25|. Desirably, the contacting edge of the front plate 2|| is lower than the back plate which causes the heel as it passes along the plates to be tipped forward and when stripped from the pin will fall in front of the machine instead of in the other direction where it may be deposited in the mechanism and cause injury thereto.

It may be found desirable to rotate the heels while they pass between brushes at the brushing station I|| thereby to more thoroughly remove dust and foreign matter from the heels before they are sprayed. A desirable method of acabutment is held in resilient engagement with the pinions as the spindles pass between the `brushes by means of a spring pressed plunger 262 slidably received in a bracket 263. To prevent lateral displacement of the chain due to the pressure exerted by the abutment 258 a rigid supporting bar 264 is provided which engages the rollers of the chain on the opposite side to that upon which the abutment 258 engages the chain. By thus rotating the heel all foreign matter is removed from every part of its surface.

In Fig. 25 is shown diagrammatically the manner in which a three phase electric supply circuit 2651s connected to the driving motor 23 and the other electric units associated with the machine. Desirably, the motor 23 is controlled by a push button switch 266 which acts throughk a standard relay switch 261 to start and stop the driving motor. As is usual in relay switches of this type a pilot circuit 261 is opened and closed by a stop button 268. When the motor is operating the circuit 261 is closed. Included in this circuit is a magnet winding 269 which retains the main circuit contacts in their closed position. If the circuit 261 is opened the main motor circuit is deenergized and the motor stops. A safety stop device is incorporated in the machine to stop the motor when the air pressure in the air supply system drops below the required degree for proper operation of the air actuated elements. This safety device desirably is in the form of a standard air pressure operated switch 210 which communicates with the main air line 2|3. When the air pressure in the line is normal the switch 210 remains closed thereby providing normal operation of the manual control means. If the air pressure in the supply system drops below a predetermined degree the switch 210 opens thus stopping the motor which cannot be started again until the air pressure has been restored to normal. In this way spindles carrying heels thereon cannot be carried into the loading station which might cause injury to the heels or to the machine.

A convenient and waste preventing device is applied to the machine which automatically cuts oif the air supply when the motor stops. Should the motor be stopped either intentionally or otherwise and the conveyor chain come to rest with the valve actuating the spray gun open the air supply is cut off thereby preventing waste of spray material. To accomplish this result an electrically operated valve 212 is inserted in the air supply 2 I 3 in position to control the flow of air to the machine. The valve 212 is of the type which normally remains open while the machine is in operation. A solenoid acts to maintain the valve open and receives its energy from parallel connection with the motor circuit 21|. When the motor current is cut oi the valve automatically closes thus cutting off the supply of air to the machine. When the current is again restored to the motor circuit, the valve212 automatically opens and the machine again functions normally. The motor 213 which drives the fan |1 is connected to the motor circuit 21|.

The heaters I6 are energized from the motor circuit 21| and are ltherefore receiving current i only when the machine is in operation. Eachof the three heaters may be provided with individual switches 214. By means of the switches therdegree of heat in the chamber 4 may be manually controlled. If desired, automatic means may be provided for maintaining a predetermined temperature in the drying chamber. Such means may consist of a thermostatic switch 215 inserted in the pilot circuit 216 of a main heat control switch 211. The thermostatic switch is provided with an actuating bulb 218 situated within the chamber. The pilot circuit 216 has therein a switch 219 for manually cutting off all of the heaters. As shown in the drawings the heaters |6 are connected to one phase of the motor circuit. The heater units may however be designed for connection to the three phases of the motor circuit. The motor 280 for driving the fan unit |5 is connected in the heater circuit and operates when the heat is on.

It will be understood that the invention is not hereby restricted to the particular arrangement of the spray guns shown and described herein. Obviously the position and the number of the spray guns employed depends entirely upon the nature of the object which is being coated. For instance, it may be found desirable in the spraying of heels to apply at least one coat of spray material to the periphery of the heel seat. This may be done by employing an additional spray gun 28| at one of the spray stations as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. This gun is positioned to spray the seat of the heels as they pass the spray station. This additional spray gun is connected with thc air supply and the supply of spray material for simultaneous operation with the spray The particular construction and arrangement of the elements of the machine illustrated in the drawings and above described are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention, and itwill be understood that the construction and arrangement of parts may assume any form within the spirit and scope of the following claims. Pursuant to this end a modified construction of the main cylinder 8| at the loading station is shown in Fig. 6A. In this form of the invention the air supply from the connection |03 is led into the upper end of the cylinder in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 5 while the air connection leading from the cylinder 95 to the bore of the extension 86 and which acts to move the piston 81 upwardly is connected to a port |50A which desirably is of small dimension longitudinally of the cylinder while its horizontal dimension may desirably be substantially greater. This port is so situated with respect to a piston 94 that when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke the port |50A is uncovered thereby admitting air to the connection |50 and actuating the piston 81. In this construction air is admitted to the cylinder 95 by the valve |06 which moves the piston 94 and the ram 82 downwardly to impale a heel upon a spindle similarly to the function of the construction shown in Fig. 5. If there is no heel present upon the spindle at the loading station the piston 94 will be depressed to the end of its stroke and air will pass through the port |50A and reach the piston 81 through the air connection |50 which will raise the piston and the arm 9| thereby moving the tripping member 16 out of the path of the valve actuator at the spray station thereby preventing the waste of spray material.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A machine for spray coating small articles comprising a drying chamber, an endless conveyor chain passing in a tortuous path through said chamber, a plurality oi' pointed spindles on said chain, a pneumatically operated loading ram acting in timed relation to the chain to drive the articles upon said spindle, means for moving the ram in the same direction and at the same speed as the chain while the ram operates, means for subsequently spraying the articles and means for discharging from the chain the sprayed and dried articles.

2. A machine for spray coating small articles comprising a drying chamber, an endless conveyor chain passing in a tortuous path through said chamber, a plurality o! pointed spindles on said chain, a pneumatically operated loading ram acting in timed relation to said chain to drive the articles upon said spindles, means actuated by engagement with said spindles for moving the ram in the same direction and at the same speed as said chain while the ram operates, means for subsequently spraying the articles and means tor discharging from the chain the sprayed and dried articles.

3. A machine for treating articles comprising a conveyor chain, a loading station, a plurality of spindles for receiving the articles, a treating station having means for spray coating the articles, tripping means on each oi.' said spindles acting to control said spray coating means and having an active and an inactive position with respect to the spindles, automatic means for selectively positioning said tripping means in active or inactive position respectively when an article is present upon a spindle or when a spindle has no article thereon whereby said spray coating means is rendered inactive when no article is present upon the spindle at the spray station.

4. In a machine for treating articles an endless conveyor chain for carrying the articles to be treated, a pneumatically operated automatic loading ram, a plurality of pointed spindles on said chain upon which the articles are forced by said ram, an article treating station having spray coating means, tripping means on each spindle for controlling said spray coating means and having an active and an inactive position with respect to the spindles, pneumatically operated means receiving an air supply from the cylinder of said pneumatically operated ram and acting automatically to selectively position each of said tripping members in inactive position when no article is present upon a spindle at said treating station whereby said spray coating means is rendered inactive when no article is present upon A the spindle.

5. In a machine for spray coating small articles an endless conveyor chain, a plurality of pointed spindles on said chain, a spray gun, a valve for controlling said spray gun and having an actuator situated adjacent to the path of said chain, a tripping member on each of said spindles normally held in position to engage and actuate said valve when a spindle passes the gun, means for impaling the articles upon the spindles, means acting automatically to shift said tripping members out of the path of said valve actuator when no article is present on a spindle whereby the spray gun is rendered inoperative when an empty spindle is presented at the spraying station.

6. In a machine for spray coating small articles an endless conveyor chain, a plurality 'of pointed spindles on the chain, a spray gun, a valve for controlling said spray gun and having an actuator situated adjacent the path o! the chain. a

tripping member on each of said spindles normally held in position to engage and actuate said valve when a spindle bearing an article passes'the gun, an automatic pneumatically actuated ram for impaling the articles on the spindles. pneumatically operated automatic means for shifting said tripping members out of the path oi' said valve actuator when an empty spindle passes the spray gun.

7. In a machine for spray coating small articles an endless conveyor chain, a plurality oi pointed spindles on the chain, a spray gun, a valve for controlling said spray gun having an actuator adjacent the path oi' said chain, a tripping member on each of said spindles normally held in position to engage and actuate said valve when a spindle passes said gun, an automatically actuated ram ior impaling the articles on the spindles, mechanical means actuated by the over travel of said ram when no article is present to be driven on the spindle, acting to shift said tripping means out of the path oi said valve actuator whereby said spray gun is rendered inspindles on said chain, a spray gun, means forcontrolling said gun having an actuator adjacent the path of said chain, a tripping member on each oi' said spindles normally held in position to engage and actuate said spray gun actuator when a spindle passes the gun, a pneumatic cylinder having a piston and a ram connected thereto operable to impale the article on said spindles, another pneumatic cylinder having a piston therein and a lifting member connected to the piston, an air connection between the two cylinders, automatic controlling means acting to admit air to said rst mentioned cylinder whereby said iirst mentioned piston and ram are caused to drive an article upon a spindle and when said first mentioned piston is actuated with no article present` to be driven on a spindle the air pressure accumulated in said cylinderis conducted through said air connection and actuates said lifting means which engages the tripping member upon the spindle moving it out ofthe path of said spray gun actuator whereby said spray gun il rendered inactive when an empty spindle passes.

9. In a machine for spray coating small articles having the elements deiinedin claim 'l and in which the area ofthe second named piston is substantially less than the other piston.

10. In a machine for spray coating articles having the elements defined in claim 8 together with meansfor resiliently supporting said driving wheel to permit bodily motion thereof laterally with respect to the chain.

1l. In a machine for spray coating small articles an endless conveyor chain for carrying the articles, a plurality of driving elements engaging the chain at spaced intervals one oi' said elementi having positive rigid driving connection with a source of power, the remaining driving elements resiliently exerting a predetermined driving torque upon said chain, a plurality of pointed spindles on said chain, a loading ram acting automatically to impale the articles upon said spindles, an arm engaged by said spindles acting to move said ram at the same speed and direction as said chain during the impaling operation, a spray gun, automatic means i'or actuating the gun when an article is present on a spindle and to render the gun inactive when no articles are 

